April 2017 | Business View Magazine

6 7 april/may 2017 Opening Lines By Natalia Wojcik for CNBC.com C onsumers' attitudes to current conditions in the U.S. jumped in March, according to a monthly survey out March 28th. The Consumer Confidence Index hit 125.6 in March according to data from The Conference Board, its highest level since December 2000. Economists expected the Conference Board's consumer confidence index to hit 114 in March, according to a consen- sus estimate from Reuters. "Consumers' assessment of current business and labor market conditions improved considerably," Lynn Franco, director of economic indicators at The Conference Board, said in a statement. "Consumers' also expressed much greater optimism regard- ing the short-term outlook for business, jobs and personal in- come prospects. Thus, consumers feel current economic condi- tions have improved over the recent period, and their renewed optimism suggests the possibility of some upside to the pros- pects for economic growth in the coming months," Franco said. The survey also found those saying business conditions are "good" rose to 32.2 percent from 28.2 percent. Those saying business conditions are "bad" fell to 12.9 percent from 13.4 percent. Their outlook for the labor market was also more up- beat, according to the report. The survey, a closely followed barometer of consumer atti- tudes, measures confidence toward business conditions, short- term outlook, personal finances and jobs. Consumer Confidence Soars inMarch toHighest Level since December 2000